Śivarātri-vrata Udyāpana-vidhi
Completion Rite for the Śivarātri Observance
गां सवत्सां विधानेन यथोपस्करसंयुताम् । उक्त्वाचार्याय वै दद्याच्छिवो मे प्रीयतामिति
gāṃ savatsāṃ vidhānena yathopaskarasaṃyutām | uktvācāryāya vai dadyācchivo me prīyatāmiti
应依仪轨,将一头母牛连同牛犊,并配备所需诸物,如法奉献给阿阇梨(ācārya),并说道:“愿主湿婆悦纳于我。”
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Mantra: śivo me prīyatām iti
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
It teaches that devotion to Śiva is strengthened through dharmic giving and humility—honoring the ācārya and offering charity as an act of surrender, praying for Śiva’s grace rather than worldly gain.
In Saguna Śiva worship, ritual observances are supported by right conduct (ācāra). Offering guru-dakṣiṇā and dāna after worship aligns the devotee’s outer ritual with inner bhakti, making the Linga-pūjā complete in spirit.
A prescribed dāna: gifting a cow with her calf, properly prepared, to the ācārya while reciting the intention “May Śiva be pleased with me,” as a concluding act of worship and merit.